The Most Dramatic Super Bowl Games Of All Time

Donna Lia WintersJan 26, 2017

The Super Bowl festivities are just around the corner and fans couldn’t be more excited to for the biggest game of the year. The annual championship game of the National Football League is probably the most watched sporting event and the biggest spectacle in the world. After all, it’s so much more than just two teams playing each other to see who the best team on the field is. It’s the never ending build up leading to the night of the game, the epic commercials, the spectacular halftime performances, the viewing parties, the commentaries and the day after, of course. You could say that by now (after 50 events!) anyone who tunes in or goes to the game knows what to expect. However, if there’s one thing people don’t know is how the game will unfold and how dramatic it will be.

Heading into the upcoming matchup between the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons that will take place at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, we’ve selected the top most dramatic moments in Super Bowl history, because it’s also about the journey and not just the destination.

Super Bowl XXXVI: New England Patriots 20, St. Louis Rams 17

Mr. Clutch himself of the New England Patriots, kicked a 48-yard field goal during the final play, made history and won it for his team by giving the Patriots their first victory in the Super Bowl (first of three victories). With only seven seconds remaining on the clock and a 17-17 tie, Vinatieri’s final kick sent him straight to the NFL Hall of Fame. Amazingly enough, two years down the line, the placekicker kicked a 41-yard field goal when there were only 4 seconds left of the game, leading his team once again to victory over the Carolina Panthers when they were defeated by three points.

Super Bowl III: New York Jets 16, Baltimore Colts 7

While it wasn’t particularly the most well- played game and some would say it was the biggest disappointment in Super Bowl’s history, its entertainment value and historical outcome what made this 1969 enter this list. The Jets, who were considered underdogs for a very long time, stunned when they won 16-7 of the Colts which pretty much shaped the ground for the NFL-AFL merger. It was also what was said by Jets’ quarterback, Joe Namath three days prior the game that added to the dramatic and shocking effects. Namath, who was tired of all of the negative media frenzy leading up to the game, guaranteed a victory for his team when he said ‘We’re going to win the game. I guarantee it.’

Super Bowl XVIII: Los Angeles Raiders 38, Washington Redskins 9

The running back player of the Los Angeles Raiders, Marcus Allen, made his run into the history book with his 74-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. It was Allen’s unusual and surprising turn in a different direction reversing field in the offensive backfield which was soon followed by his memorable and incredible famous touchdown. Till this day, this play is considered the greatest single run by a player in Super Bowl history.